Some things Owen does/can do now

--Pull up on anything of the right height

--Walk w/a baby walker--he's soooooo proud!

--Dance when there's music on

--Say kitty, mama, dada, ball, bus, bath (debatable), maybe dog

--Try to say Grandpa--mutters under his breath, "Am-pa, am-pa..." to practice

--Can sign eat, milk, all done, and more, and is working on light, cheese, thank you, and mine

--Laugh hysterically at his parents' apparently OUTSTANDING funniness

--Attempt to stand up in the bathtub, and understand when I tell him, "Sit down, please,"--he does it, and looks at me like, "Hm...I did it this time. Should I push it?" and then he pushes it. heh heh. In fact, he watches me AS he starts to pull up to see IF I make him sit down again. !!

--Hold his regular cup and drink out of it by himself (but it's more fun to spill it)

--"Pet" the dogs, and he knows when I say 'be nice' to tone it down (from yanking on and biting tails, to wild patting instead)

--AAAAAAAAAAAAAAs at the Christmas Tree!

--Point out the 'truck' in one of his books when prompted

--Has four teeth coming in at once!

--Cause his already-tired parents to run around like maniacs, entertaining him with the "Owen Parade" (ask his Aunt Shawnna), chasing him through the various rooms of the house, making him 'fly,' pretending to run into walls because he thinks it's hilarious, etc.

--Make our lives happier than EVER!

Thanksgiving!

I don't have pictures yet, but we had such a great Thanksgiving. A year ago on T'giving Day was the first time we met little Owen--he was just a peanut then, not even a month old that first day. We were terrified--if I watch the video now of us going thru customs, my eyes are HUGE with terror and nervousness and I am jittery and shifty-eyed. (Shannon filmed, smart man.)

I remember we couldn't even see him, he was wrapped in so many blankets, even though it ws really warm out. I remember climbing into a 2-door blue Toyota Tercel with his in my arms in the backseat--no carseat--as we made the 45 min. drive to Antigua. He was so teeny, and perfect! What a wonderful 4 days that was!

We had a great time at my parents' with my g'ma there, too. Owen loves loves loves turkey! We spent the whole day playing, reading, having a great time. He is loved so much by so many!

On Sunday, we went to the Hanging of the Greens at Shannon's parents' church. Owen climbed all over all of us, from one end of the pew to the other. He tried to grab the candles we held at the end. During scripture readings, he poked his Aunt Shawnna, and then his Uncle John, in the back (they were in the pew in front of us) trying to get their attention. He thinks he is something else!

Best of all, he SANG! When we'd sing hymns, he'd let out, 'Aaaaaaa, baaaaaa, aaaaaa,' over and over along w/the music! We should have known. He loves the radio, loves to dance, loves his toy guitar, loves to play 'drums' with pots and pans. Shannon says he'll be the next Santana.

Pics later!

random photos

My grandma (dad's mom); this summer when my brother Eric and his wife Heather were in from WA; my father's father, who died just over 2 years ago today (he would have LOVED Owen); my maternal grandfather's military picture--he died just under 2 years ago; my cousin Jody w/her 3 boys, Kolton, Dylan and Mason. :)
Happy Thanksgiving!

A couple more pictures from the weekend...taken by Grammy

My dad used the air compressor, his leaf shredder and climbed a step-stool this weekend--all of which elevated him to Super Cool Grandpa in Owen's eyes!

And, Owen biting the squeaky Christmas cat. :)

A few pictures from our weekend

The picture of him napping with his little behind in the air was Thursday, when I stayed home w/him because he had/has another ear infection. We spent Friday night hanging out here (see nap picture with my 2 boys), and Saturday O and I went to Grammy and Grandpa's. Owen watched NASCAR for the first time this weekend---he is enthralled (see pic of him staring, open-mouthed, at the TV). He also got another present from Nana's friend, the blue robe and matching puppy slippers. Shannon and I were cracking up, picturing him sitting in his robe and slippers, reading the newspaper and sipping coffee. Our little man!

Today we went out to eat w/Shannon's parents, and have spent the rest of the afternoon wondering why Owen is howling and complaining and whining and falling asleep in his high chair. ???? Could it be the molar and the 2 premolars coming in???? AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

Almost Christmas!!!...and the rare crying photo

A molar?!

Little Mr. Owen has a molar trying to come in! It's the very back right, on the bottom. Poor kiddo's run a fever off and on since Sunday, up to 102. So, we'll see the doc today to make sure that the molar is the only cause. He acts happy almost all the time, and is not lethargic or dazed, so I'm not panicky...just making sure!